Yo!
Welcome to another chapter of "Road to Power". It has been a while eh? Probably the longest break between chapters for this story. I'm sorry for the delay, but I decided to focus a bit more on my other story that was a bit behind on updates. Now that I caught up to a place where I am mostly satisfied I can go back to writing all of my stories at the same time.
Also, I have been trying to create some sort of schedule for my updates, but it is a work in progress. I will try to keep you updated, but if I want to finish any of those stories within a year or so, then I really need a schedule. Unfortunately with 3 stories, university, and some other shit, creating anything resembling a working schedule can be hard. It definitely doesn't help that I am a lazy fuck.
Anyway, after some thought, I finally decided who Subject zero will be. Some of you might expect it while others will be confused about how it is even possible. I will just say that appearance of this character doesn't mean that other people from this fandom will appear as I changed a tone of shit. Remember this is MCU and HP universe mixed together, not Marvel and HP.
I'm sure that there will be questions after this chapter so remember to leave a review or join my discord server to talk with me.
Discord Link: discord. gg/ b7JaQcpuc7 (Just delete the spaces, it is also available on my profile.)
Enjoy.
Chapter 18. The beginning
Our gazes remained locked. Both wide-eyed as we observed each other. I tried to make sense of why a girl younger than me wore a magical collar, while she probably wanted to know what the hell I was even doing here... Well, at least that was what I assumed.
I really wanted to continue our staredown — I wasn't the one to give up so easily —, but my legs just couldn't take it. They continued their protest at my current position and I had no choice but to surrender.
Instantly I fell to my knees and dragged myself to the opposite corner where the second dirty mattress laid. I wanted to throw up from the smell coming from it and my overall injuries, but it was the only place where I could let my body rest relatively well.
And so I fell onto the surprisingly soft mattress with an audible groan. Oh, how I wished to lash out at the 'gentle' agents who brought me to this state. To stab their bodies and break their bones like they broke mine. Unfortunately, I knew that attacking now would prove deadly for me, besides I didn't even have the strength for it.
I sighed and turned my head to the side so I could see my new roommate. She was still looking at me with her wide eyes, Creepy, I thought with a shudder.
"Hello?" I tried, making the girl flinch a bit, "It seems that we will be living together in the near future. Name's Logan, what about you?" I asked as casually as I could. No need to make this situation more awkward than it already was.
In response, the girl only narrowed her eyes and continued staring. Well, here goes my attempt at making this less weird... Now how to get her talking.
I averted my gaze and looked at the dark ceiling covered in spider webs. Really, how the hell did they even expect their test subjects to live long enough for any experiments when our living quarters would probably kill us soon.
Whatever, I just need to survive long enough to find a way out of this place, I sighed and decided to attempt communication with the girl again, "Not a talker eh? Don't worry I can talk enough for both of us. Though it would be nice to have someone to speak to in this hell hole. What do you think?"
When the sound of someone moving reached my ears, I peeked at my roommate and frowned when she turned her back to me. Alright then. Obviously, it wouldn't be that easy to make her speak. I had no experience in speaking with victims of some madman's experiments. Hell, I could bet that not many people out there had the required skill to deal with people like that.
I shook my head and instantly winced at the pain from this simple action. Closing my eyes, I let my thoughts drift to other important subjects. Like Whitehall or the collar around the girl's neck.
Each time I had been wondering who or what could be responsible for the kidnappings, Hydra was always at the forefront of my thoughts. The shows and movies I watched gave me enough knowledge to know that whenever something weird happened, Hydra could be responsible.
Not that the information helped me much seeing where I currently was...
There was just no chance for me to guess correctly who would want to kidnap young magical children. Both the Harry Potter and Marvel cinematic universe had many sickos and organizations that would just love to get their hands at the power that came with magic. The worst part of it all was the fact that I wasn't even aware of all of them.
I watched all of the movies and remembered most of what happened in the timeline, but TV shows? Not really. Maybe the first few episodes to see if I would like them, but apart from that I only watched Agents of Shield. Hell even with AoS I only lasted until the fourth or fifth season. I just had too much shit to do back then to even care about catching up with TV shows...
So now that I ended up with Whitehall as my holder, I was almost glad. After all, if there was no chance to avoid getting kidnapped, then at least with Hydra I knew what I was up against. Well, mostly.
I chuckled lightly ignoring the rustling in the opposite corner. I must be going mad if I think that getting kidnapped by Whitehall's branch of Hydra is good.
Whitehall, a man so obsessed with everything mythical that he would do everything to uncover those mysteries. Experimenting on hundreds of people just to find out the secrets of the Inhuman Diviner. Gutting Daisy's mother to lengthen his life span. Brainwashing people to his cause and now even kidnapping the magical population...
Yeah, a really lovely guy. Though I had to wonder if I was still in England or even Europe. Whitehall was known to work in America after his release from prison, so it wouldn't surprise me if I was currently across the pond.
A groan left my mouth at the thought. Not only I got kidnapped by Hydra and thrown into a cell with a weird girl, but now I would also need to find my way back to England. A voice in the back of my mind was screaming at me that first I needed to survive this shit, but I ignored it completely.
"It just keeps getting better and better," I murmured and opened my eyes to take a quick look at the only other person in the room.
The girl didn't move from her previous position, still tucked in the corner, almost hugging the wall. Apparently, she really didn't like my presence here. At least now that I looked a bit closer, I could see the back of the collar halfway hidden by the girl's hair.
I squinted my eyes, trying to focus on the runes visible to me.
A minute... Two... And yep, I had no fucking clue what over ninety percent of those runes even meant. What the hell was even that rune language? Salazar made me study the basics of most known rune languages that the wizarding world knew of and this shit didn't even seem familiar.
Just where did Whitehall's people find this collar and what was its true purpose? Did it block the wearer's abilities? Or maybe it was some kind of mind control artifact...
Wait a second, now that I think of it...
Propping up with my elbow I addressed the girl one last time, my voice full of hope, "Wait you can speak, right?" It would be embarrassing if I was right and didn't realize this sooner. Maybe that was the reason why she completely ignored me previously.
Of course, just like the last time, the girl didn't move or even give me any sign she heard me. I slumped back onto the mattress and let out a long sigh. What the hell did they do to this girl that she wouldn't even speak a word to me...
Oh well, it will probably take some work, but I'm not giving up that easily. Might even be able to help her if she is in the same situation as me. For now, though, I should probably reinforce my Occlumency, I bet I am going to need it soon.
15th of January, 2008, Location Unknown,
I wasn't sure how many days had passed since Zero — as I began to call the girl, at least in my mind — became my roommate in Hydra's five-star cell. Unlike my new acquaintance who got dragged out of the room almost daily, I had only a few visits to the wonderful doctors who continued to stab me with all kinds of medical tools.
Why did they decide to leave me alone most of the time? I didn't know, but I wouldn't look the gift horse in the mouth. I used this time to strengthen my connection to magic as much as I could and worked on my mental barriers. I would definitely need them for what was to come, I really doubted that they would leave me alone for much longer.
For now I had no good plans for getting out of here. I didn't have enough information to form a good idea and I doubted that a chance would appear soon. I only had my magic and in its current state, I had no chance against an enemy base filled with armed agents...
I wouldn't lie that I was at least a bit curious about what they had in store for me. Some inhumane experiments? Oh, I didn't doubt that.
Attempts at brainwashing me if I refused to comply? Most definitely.
Training to become a perfect agent for Hydra if I showed signs of loyalty? Maybe, who knew, I might not survive long enough if they go too far with their experiments, especially after I saw the state Zero was every time she came back from her sessions.
What they did to her, I had no clue, but it definitely couldn't be good even if she never came back with any visible wounds. She always had the haunted look in her eyes and she could barely stand on her legs. There were times when the guards just threw the girl on the cell's cool floor and left her there without any care.
The first time it happened, I also left her lying there, not sure what to do. She wasn't my problem and besides who knew if me helping her wouldn't worsen our non-existent relationship.
And so I watched her for at least a few hours as she twitched on the floor and gave out some quiet whines in her sleep. She did wake up sometime after and made her way to her usual corner, but it definitely didn't make me feel better.
At this point, I knew that I was a right bastard in the past — not that it really changed after my reincarnation —, but even I had a heart that followed some morals. That was why I didn't stop myself from carrying the girl to her mattress when it happened the second time. I had to endure hours of glaring from the girl after that, but it was worth it. Besides, maybe my actions now would show the girl that I was also a victim here, and I didn't want to hurt her...
I let out a long-suffering sigh, Small steps. Maybe if I continue like that, she might tell me her name by the end of the year. I wanted to laugh at the thought, but it really wasn't far from the truth.
Suddenly the squeaking of the doors knocked me out of my thoughts and I instantly snapped my gaze to the two guards that entered the small cell.
"Get up boy! Your time is up," The taller one barked out and I complied with his orders. No point in protesting in such a situation, they would drag me out if necessary.
I followed the two guards through multiple hallways and this time my mind didn't have a problem remembering those passages. Would this knowledge help me in the future? I had no idea, but better to be safe than sorry...
At the end of the road, the guards grabbed me very tightly by my arms and dragged me into a completely unfamiliar room.
It was larger than any other room I visited during my stay in Hydra's base, and the big number of people in all sorts of clothing made a shiver run down my spine. I met maybe a dozen or so different people since I was kidnapped and so I was slightly unnerved by the large crowd. Also, the large amount of unknown machines definitely didn't help to calm my mind.
I cast my gaze across the room, trying to find a clue to what the hell was happening, and almost instantly regretted my actions. There in the corner of the chamber laid Zero strapped to one of the tables with multiple people walking around her.
My heart sank a bit, it looked like it was the end of my relatively normal stay with Hydra and now I would join Zero in whatever the sickos prepared. It seems like the deal with Whitehall was never real...
"Strap him in," A familiar voice called out and I was dragged to the table next to my roommate. I wanted to struggle and maybe even break free, but I knew it was futile. Even with my limited wandless magic, I had no chance of getting out, the numbers just weren't in my favor.
I felt the straps come around my arms and legs, and winced when the guards went a bit too far with tightening the leather straps. Fuckers definitely realized it if the smirks on their faces were anything to go by.
"I apologize for the rough handling Mr. Hunt, but I fear that due to a slight change of plans, I will need to retract my offer," Again the familiar voice sounded to my left and I instantly snapped my gaze to Whitehall who stood there with his fake smile.
Why I'm not surprised, I thought with a scowl. Bastard probably decided to not waste his time trying to bring me to his side by normal means. His traditional way of brainwashing people after he was done experimenting on me definitely appealed to him more.
"You don't have to worry young man, no permanent harm will come to you," the man continued, before nodding to someone who probably stood behind me, "You can begin."
Almost instantly a syringe was stabbed into my arm and soon I felt a haze settle over my mind. You can do whatever you want to me, but one day I will get out, with the last of my strength I took a peek at Zero also lying there and smiled, And I will be sure to take away everything you worked for.
And with that, my world faded into darkness.
16th of January, 2008, Location Unknown, A few hours later
A gasp echoed through the room as the consciousness finally came back to me. I opened my eyes and winced when my gaze instantly settled on the small light bulb hanging from the ceiling. I quickly snapped my eyes shut.
The hell did they do to me?
I turned on the side and spat out a handful of blood that suddenly gathered in my mouth. Something's wrong, I thought as I focused on my magic and felt it fighting against itself. I tried to stop it, but the only thing I got in return was a burning pain all across my body.
"Fuck," I groaned as I faceplanted into the floor. They just had to go all out in the beginning and mess with my magic. Why not experiment on my body with some mundane shit.
Bastards.
At least my magic was still there and if what I felt was right then my magic's civil war was slowly settling down. I probably won't be able to use it in the coming days, but I can't risk losing magic with my need to practice.
Propping myself up with my hands, I opened my eyes once again and quickly scanned the room.
I was back in my cell with my roommate nowhere to be seen. And just like with Zero, the lovely guards just threw me right on the hard floor. My hands clenched as my blood began to boil. They would pay, one day they would all pay, just like I was now paying for my stupidity.
Taking a few calming breaths, I dragged myself to the mattress. All the while I fought the urge to scream as a new wave of pain invaded my senses every time I moved. It was coming from somewhere on my stomach and if the large bloodstain on my dirty shirt was anything to go by, then I was right.
Finally, I dropped on the mattress and slowly pulled up my shirt.
There on the right side of my stomach, a large stitched-up cut was present. I would have whistled at the wound if I didn't know about the pain that simple action would bring. They really outdone themselves, my first serious operation here and they already cut me open. This cut would probably leave a scar, even with my advanced healing factor.
I ran my hand over the cut and immediately winced at the action. Yep, that definitely will scar...
Dropping my head back on the mattress, I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep. No need to fight through the pain if I could just sleep and wait to recover. Or so I thought as the throbbing in my stomach just wouldn't let me close my eyes for longer than a few minutes.
And so I laid there trying to think of anything, but the pain. Probably a few hours passed before the door to the cell opened again and the guards threw Zero on the ground.
As soon as the doors closed, I dragged my still aching body to the small girl and quickly inspected her for any visible wounds like I always did. Obviously, she still had it worse than me and to my surprise for the first time since I arrived here, the girl had multiple small bleeding cuts on her arms.
Frowning slightly, I put my arms under her legs and back, but as soon as I did that Zero's eyes snapped open.
Our eyes widened, but she most likely had a different reason than I. After all, ever since I met Zero, her eyes were brown and currently, they were flickering between their normal color and green. Just what the hell was going on here?!
"L-let me go," the girl croaked out, surprising me yet again. Her voice was soft but slightly raspy from the lack of use.
Suddenly she began to wiggle a bit, almost making me fall, "Calm down, I just wanted to lay you down on the mattress, I very much doubt you can even crawl in this state," I quickly explained to the girl. At least she didn't struggle anymore.
After I laid her down, the girl, in a surprising show of strength, hauled herself to her corner and whispered, "I should be healing."
I snorted, "You will. I would love to help, but I'm not in a much better state. Just give it some time," I said pointing to my healing cut, "Now that you finally decided to speak, can I know your name? We have been living together for at least a week and I can't see that changing anytime soon."
Zero shook her head and looked down at her arms, "You don't get it. It always heals me almost instantly. They did something to it. Look."
It? I questioned internally but still followed her gaze.
There in the spots where her arms were bleeding, small specks of black fluid-like mist were seeping out. My eyebrows rose to my hairline when the mist tried to cover the wound and failed.
What. The. Hell?!
And that's it for today's chapter.
To be honest it was probably the hardest chapter to write ever since I began writing. I'm not sure why that's the case, but well, at least I finished it.
I rewrote some parts of this chapter many times and in the end, I think that it came out pretty good. Really trying to advance the plot and keep some of the secrets hidden was a struggle, but I hope I succeeded.
Also now that you read the chapter we can finally speak more about our little subject Zero (No it won't be her name, you will find out her true name in the next chapter). Of course, I didn't give you much info even now, but I am pretty sure that some of you will guess correctly what is special about the girl and who she is in this universe.
I can only say that Zero is a combination of an OC I created and a character that exists in Marvel, but not MCU. Some of you might not like that, but meh, I thought it would be a pretty interesting plot, especially in the future.
Now about our friend Whitehall and his plans for Logan. I won't reveal much and just say that Whitehall doesn't know what he is dealing with.
Alright then, that should be it for the AN. Let me know what you think and who Zero is in your opinion. It is always fun to read your guesses. You can even ask me via PM or Discord if you really want to know and don't care for spoilers.
Have a good day/night. Dobranoc.
Additional note(THERE MIGHT BE SPOILERS INSIDE SO BEWARE):
So I am still getting my shit kicked for fucking up the part with kidnapping... Not that I fault any of you as it was a big mistake that could have been easily fixed by changing the plot a bit and just moving the kidnapping to a later date where no one would expect it. So yeah while I know very well that I made a mistake there, I hope you all will enjoy the fic even after that.
Next point that got me a few messages was Logan's scene at the beginning of the last chapter. You know the one where he was complementing if the world he was living in was the true reality (And not some mumbo-jumbo created as Afterlife). This was a subject I wanted to touch on a lot earlier, but when you are writing 4 fics and have IRL stuff to deal with, I just forget about it (Yes even with my notes about every story I write.) Again my bad.
That was why I decided to just do one short scene about this and be done with it. Was it a good idea? Probably not, but it needed to be done as I needed to give more personality to the mysterious voice. And no the voice wasn't created just now. I planned it from the start of this fic and it was already shown once.
Alright, I think that's all. Also, Crywolfseven, if you are reading this, then please enable your PMs or contact me, as I would like to talk with you about some parts of your reviews. I don't want to write AN just for you.